Shloka 17
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
लोकस्तं वेद यदहं पितु: प्रियचिकीर्षया । प्राप्तं राज्यं परित्यज्य ब्रह्म॒चर्यव्रते स्थित:
lokas taṃ veda yad ahaṃ pituḥ priyacikīrṣayā | prāptaṃ rājyaṃ parityajya brahmacaryavrate sthitaḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Die ganze Welt weiß dies: Um zu tun, was meinem Vater lieb war, entsagte ich dem Reich, das mir zugefallen war, und blieb fest gegründet im Gelübde des Brahmacarya, der lebenslangen Enthaltsamkeit.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma may require renouncing legitimate power when a higher obligation is at stake. Bhīṣma frames his life as a model of restraint and fidelity to a solemn vow, showing that ethical integrity and self-mastery can outweigh political entitlement.
Bhīṣma speaks about his well-known past decision: although kingship was available to him, he gave it up to fulfill what would please his father and committed himself to the brahmacarya-vow. He cites this public act to establish his credibility and moral authority in the ongoing counsel and negotiations of the Udyoga Parva.